5 Tips for Choosing the Right Implant Dentist

Every year in America, more than five million dental patients receive implants. These procedures are used to permanently replace missing teeth. They help to improve the quality of your smile, boost your confidence, and help you eat and talk.

However, getting a dental implant is a fairly major procedure that requires an anesthetic. Because of this, you want to be working with a dentist that you can trust. They will be able to deliver quality and reassurance from your first appointment right through to your follow-up care.

With more than 200,000 dentists practicing across America choosing the right one for you can feel overwhelming! So what should you look for in an implant dentist?

Whether you want to know more about the pros and cons of a gum lift or need a dental implant, read on to find out our top tips for finding the best implant dentist in Seattle.

1. Make Sure They Have the Proper Training and Qualifications

You want any dentist working on your mouth to have the proper training before they come near you. This is the case whether you are getting a filling or looking for a gum lift for a receding gum line!

This is why it is important to look into their qualifications before working with a dentist. You can ask about this directly or look it up online. Their qualifications should include:

  • A doctorate (either a DDS or DMD) from an accredited dental school
  • A license to practice dentistry
  • A completed residency in dentistry
  • Extensive experience practicing dentistry since qualifying

If a dentist lists their training as a "short course" then be wary of this. Short courses generally only cover basic skills.

You should also look out for dentists who are board-certified. These dentists are regulated and have to pass a strict testing process before receiving their certification. So it is a good sign of a high-quality dentist.

2. Look for a Specialist

As we've already mentioned, dental implants are a specialist kind of procedure so your regular dentist might not offer them. Even if they do, it is worth looking for a specialist dentist to perform your implant procedure or gum lift in Seattle.

Specialist dentists have a wealth of experience and additional training in their chosen area of dentistry.

This means that they should be able to offer a higher quality procedure compared to your regular dentist. They will also have access to the latest equipment and should be able to schedule your procedure easily.

3. Check Out Their Before and After Photos

A dentist will be able to provide a lot of information about how they carry out a procedure and will offer you statistics on their success rates.

However, one of the most helpful things to look at is their collection of before and after photos. These will reflect the quality of a dentist's work.

When looking at them, make sure to ask about the exact procedure that a patient had. You especially want to look at before and after photos of the procedure that you are planning to have.

If a patient has had additional procedures, such as gum grafting, make sure you ask about this as well. These can make a big difference to how your smile will look after your implant.

4. Read Independent Reviews

Dentists will always present themselves and their work in the best light — after all, they want to bring more patients in! So it is important to look at independent reviews as well. These are written by previous patients, so will give you an honest review of their experience.

It's important to look for recent reviews, as these will reflect a dentist's latest work. These can tell you about the quality of:

  • A dentist's communication
  • Their value for money
  • The procedure itself
  • The support they offer with after care

It is a good idea to try and find reviews of the specific procedure that you're looking for. For example, if you're getting gum contouring, look at reviews of this procedure. This will give you the most accurate picture possible of previous patients' experiences.

5. Look Out for Great Communication

Communication is key if you are going to build a relationship of trust with your dentist, so look out for this from the very beginning.

All dentists should offer an initial consultation to find out exactly what you're looking for from your procedure. This is a chance for you to tell them about your dental history so that they can advise you on the best possible treatments.

However, this is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you might have. For example, if they suggest getting a gum lift along with your implants you may want to ask "What is a gum lift?" A good dentist will be able to explain all of their procedures so that you are satisfied that you understand them.

Their communication should also extend outside of their dental office. Their secretaries and support staff should be easy to reach and should keep you informed of any changes to your scheduled procedure.

You can tell a lot about a dentist by how quickly they respond to your initial inquiries. They should offer you a range of options for getting in touch, including phone calls, inquiry forms, and emails. If you find that it is difficult to get hold of them or they take a long time to respond, it might be time to look elsewhere!

Find Your Implant Dentist Today

As you can see, when it comes to finding a great implant dentist for your procedure there is a lot to consider. Taking the time to research your dentist properly will ensure that you find the best possible person for the job.

Want to book an appointment or find out more about the best prosthodontists in Seattle? Then get in touch today — one of our team will be happy to help you!

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509 Olive Way
Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: 206.682.3383
Fax: 206.467.8160

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